CROSS Keys have received a major boost with the news their former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees could be back in action by the end of the year.

It was feared the former Newport Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and London Irish No 9 might miss the rest of the season with a serious hamstring injury.

But Rees, capped nine times for Wales under head coach Warren Gatland in 2010, is expected to be back in action in between six to seven weeks.

The 32-year-old sustained his injury during Keys’ 30-24 defeat to Cardiff in the Principality Premiership back in September.

Keys team manager Mark Prangell said: “It’s great news for us that Richie is expected to be back in action within six to seven weeks.

“We were worried that he could have been out for the rest of the season.

“He’s just had a scan and he won’t need surgery. He is in rehab and it’s hoped he will be back with us in between six and seven weeks.”

Prangell added: “Luckily for us, his absence hasn’t really come into the equation so far with James Leadbeater having such an outstanding season.”

Rees’ signing was a major coup for the Pandy Park side, currently flying high in third place in the league after a 32-32 draw with second placed Aberavon at Pandy Park on the weekend.

The veteran inside half was appointed Dragons academy skills coach last May at the end of his playing deal with the Rodney Parade side.

Bayonne looked into tempting him to France as they attempt to return to the Top 14, while big-spending Swalec Championship promotion hopefuls Merthyr were also said to be interested.

But Rees will look to help Keys gain silverware this season after they qualified for the Principality Premiership play-offs for the second successive year in 2015 as well as being Swalec Cup semi-finalists.

He is a player used to winning trophies, playing for the Blues when they won the 2010 Amlin Challenge Cup in Marseilles after upsetting French aristocrats Toulon in the final.